by Christian Gray
AmeriCorps VISTA at Raleigh College Center
Eleven months ago, I agreed to the terms of AmeriCorps
to become the new VISTA for the Raleigh College Center via North Carolina State
University. I remember it like it was yesterday, the night prior I was so
anxious I could not sleep. August 11, 2014 was the start to one of the most influential years of my life.
Intro
Prior to any major change
in one’s life; I feel as humans we naturally begin to visualize, and anticipate
the changes ahead of us. In some cases our expectations match and in others
they do not. Luckily, I was able to both experience and learn a tremendous
amount in such a short period of time. It amazes me how vividly one can think, as my imagination and expectations allowed me to visualize the entire year at a
glance. I visualized myself stepping into the position, as the new VISTA for the RCC (Raleigh College
Center), and making a ton of change. Being young and passionate, you sometimes
forget that change takes time and that there are rules and hierarchy
systems you must follow in order to reach certain outcomes.
Expectation: a
strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.
Expectation was probably
my biggest foe during this year long journey. The most relevant example would
be when I fell short on establishing a “Mentor/Mentee” program. As I mentioned
earlier, being young and passionate, I sometimes lost my patience or never
established any. Once my idea was proposed I wanted change immediately, but life
doesn’t work this way. I had to rethink and apply a new strategy, and with time, things did change.
Vince Lombardi once said, “It's not whether you get
knocked down, it's whether you get up.” I got up, and when I got up I started
running. This one experience fueled me and motivated to do more and seek out
new partners. After this occurrence I was able to develop patience and learn
the proper process in regards to submitting ideas. I establish three new
partnerships which all now play a critical role in the RCC. Between the three
partners, I have conducted more than twelve events and reached over 300
individuals (families and students). I was doing some reading and I came across
a quote which stated “most change not because they see the light, but because
they feel the heat”, the heat in this situation was my idea not being
implemented.
New
Relationships
The most significant task I completed during this year
was establishing new partnerships. I honestly believe that these partnerships
have built a stronger and more reliable foundation for the VISTA program and
the RCC. These partners provide a consistent population as well as a consistent
supporting group. What really stood out during this process was the fact that
these partners not only worked with VISTA but they worked with one another to
establish relationships and collaborations. This is capacity building at its
finest.
This past year, I established partnerships with three
organizations. First, The WELL (Wade Edwards Learning Lab), an organization
that provides “the student community
with opportunities for achievement, enrichment and service, in preparation for
personal and academic success.” I also partnered with the Raleigh chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a national nonprofit which “brings people
together to build homes, communities and hope.” And finally, I established a
partnership with The Hope Center at Pullen, an initiative that “connects young
people aging out of foster care in Wake County with the resources and the support
they need for a successful transition to adulthood.”
Change
and Impact
Free SAT/ACT testing sponsored by
KAPLAN (Over 200 total students): From the months of September-January KAPLAN testing services provided free practice testing as well as examination reviews. My largest contribution
in this regard was having a huge increase in
participants both students and parents. Secondly, moving the events from the
recreation center to college campuses which allowed students who generally
would not be on a campus to be exposed to that lifestyle.
Parent college prep services: Throughout
the year I conducted three parent college prep sessions. I invited
representatives from local colleges/universities to speak and educate parents
on the topics of post-secondary access. Many of the students who I deal with
are or will be first generation students. Therefore, my approach was to educate
parents on the topics of school. This was extremely beneficial because many
parents not only learned information which would be helpful for their students
but many also gained interest to sign up for night classes at the local
community college.
Introduction into college seminar: these seminars
were conducted for individuals 13-16 years old with the plan to increase
college awareness. Many students are not even sure if they want to attend
college let alone know the proper steps to be successful. These seminars
provided tools and information in regards to the process leading up to applying
for college.
Tools: One
of my largest focuses was to provide the youth with tools therefore they can
survive everyday life. There were a tremendous amount of presentations
which were based on professional development, and leadership. The professional
development programs covered topics based on proper dress, rules of social
media, time management, elevator pitch, public speaking, self-confidence, and
much more. The leadership program was set to develop soft skills.
Overall
This experience was by far one of the most influential
things I have been a part of in my life. I was able to grow in so many aspects
and develop not only as a person but as a professional. My professional network
expanded tremendously and I was able to build relationships which will last a
life time. The most important information I want readers to take from my short
blog is to understand that life is going to knock you down and change is
inevitable, but when you stay true to your heart and your beliefs, things will
begin to work in your favor.
I believe that one of the most important things I did this year was continue
to paint pictures of HOPE in the fight
against poverty. In
this position you realized that everything in life is larger than ourselves.
Life is about helping and making a change when you can. Life is about happiness
and enjoying it with passion. When you’re forced to become emerged in some of
these communities you are awaken to many different things. I grew up in poverty
and was under-resourced but stepping out and looking back into the box now is
different from living in the box. Education is powerful beyond measures and it
is something that no one can every deny you of. Once again, A LIFE
WITHOUT HELPING IS A LIFE WITHOUT LIVING , what a great year!
